Christian McBride is one of the best, if not the best, jazz bassist out there. He sat in on one of my gigs a few years ago. He played my upright and electric bass and literally tore them up. Amazing player. So. Good.
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Double Bass Christian McBride
- Thread starter GMarto
- Start date
I'll leave the technical analysis to the rest of the TB audience.
I will say, I've spoken to Christian a few times and his father. They are both great musicians and have
managed to stay humble and funny as anything. They love the bass, and music as a whole. I can't fault them for that.
Sometimes the wrong notes can lead you places you didn't expect. And those places lead to discovery. Christian is
a monster. I suspect that his schedule is a factor in some of the criticism. BUT, a lot of his time is spent being the most encouraging person you could imagine towards other players. He's only human, and he knows that... I applaud his playing warts and all. The brother loves bass...
And he's from Philly... 
I will say, I've spoken to Christian a few times and his father. They are both great musicians and have
managed to stay humble and funny as anything. They love the bass, and music as a whole. I can't fault them for that.
Sometimes the wrong notes can lead you places you didn't expect. And those places lead to discovery. Christian is
a monster. I suspect that his schedule is a factor in some of the criticism. BUT, a lot of his time is spent being the most encouraging person you could imagine towards other players. He's only human, and he knows that... I applaud his playing warts and all. The brother loves bass...
And he's from Philly... 
I'll leave the technical analysis to the rest of the TB audience.
I will say, I've spoken to Christian a few times and his father. They are both great musicians and have
managed to stay humble and funny as anything. They love the bass, and music as a whole. I can't fault them for that.
Sometimes the wrong notes can lead you places you didn't expect. And those places lead to discovery. Christian is
a monster. I suspect that his schedule is a factor in some of the criticism. BUT, a lot of his time is spent being the most encouraging person you could imagine towards other players. He's only human, and he knows that... I applaud his playing warts and all. The brother loves bass...
View attachment 2998759 And he's from Philly...
Agreed on all counts! For me, i almost get as much out of hearing him speak as i do from his bass playing. I recently saw him doing a Ray Brown tribute and really didn't mind the breaks between the music to tell some stories and share some anecdotes.
He's a master bassist and wonderful personality, but his astounding playing doesn't move me much. To me he plays kinda commonplace language incredibly fast and well, but I don't hear arresting ideas like i do from Colley or Pattitucci, to name a couple in his general age group. To each their own I guess.
Christian McBride is an incredible musician and I absolutely love all his bass playing, a-z, cradle to grave. For me he nails it, period! Oh and I love all the other great bassists as well.
We can all agree to disagree... but as bassists let’s continue supporting each other. Going to concerts and buying music. If we disagree, let’s keep it between us? K? 
I concur... he plays things I like and things I don’t. After seeing him a few times I wasn’t interested in most of what he played... BUT... His left hand placement where the neck joins the body was exemplary. And his right hand speed grabbed my attention. That’s what I thought was interesting...
Christian is a master bassist. He is a lover of the music he plays(you can hear it in his playing), and not only understands the tradition, but fosters it in the young and upcoming talent that he surrounds himself with. More than a musician, he is propagating the cause of music by making people aware of jazz and the music he plays. He, in my opinion, is another huge link in the rich heritage of the upright bass. You all are entitled to your opinion, but come on....he kills it every time he plays. Fun to listen to, and watch!
I agree totally. I'm a real hack compared to some here but I do know what amazing bass playing sounds like. Christian is one of those players in my opinion. Some of the negative comments sound like youtube comments - you know the ones from teenage wanabees. Do they actually play bass?
I always liked his music, but just that. It didn’t really grab me. After i had the chance to see him live recently with his bigband this changed. He really impressed me as a performer and bandleader. He was shifting gears all the time between pure support, great comping, very musical solo’s and over the top crowd pleasing the whole time. Loved it !
A few years ago he was at one of my gigs and sat in and played a set on both electric and upright basses (my instruments). I was about 10 feet in front of him. He is unbelievably amazing.
Christian playing with some jam band royalty...enjoy. Bowed solo for those patient enough to get there!
He really sounds great. A far cry from the Herbie Hancock/Dave Matthews travesty!
Listening to a recording of Christian in 2015. Not playing his own bass, not playing his normal pickup and not playing normal strings.
he has a nice looking bass with a fishmen pickup and flexocore deluxe strings (from what I can tell) and a C extension that has an E gate that won't stay closed haha. Still SWINGIN HIS ASS OFF!
I played a gig last night and at the end I was so frustrated with the setup on the bass. Not my preferred strings, pickup or amp and it got in the way of the music which was my fault. Seeing this today is a sign I think: Shut up and play.
he has a nice looking bass with a fishmen pickup and flexocore deluxe strings (from what I can tell) and a C extension that has an E gate that won't stay closed haha. Still SWINGIN HIS ASS OFF!
I played a gig last night and at the end I was so frustrated with the setup on the bass. Not my preferred strings, pickup or amp and it got in the way of the music which was my fault. Seeing this today is a sign I think: Shut up and play.
His playing is so effortless. I love the bass duo. I have really been finding Christian more and more inspiring. So good.
That James Brown story. I would hate to get sued by one of my icons.
Earl
Supporting Member
Interesting to hear the difference in sound between both bassists. Mr. McBride using what appear to be spiros and getting a punchy sound that really cuts through, and Mr. Hall using what appear to be a full set of Olives (I could be wrong) and disappearing a bit. I am generally a gut guy but I have to say that I preferred Mr. McBride's sound.
